Mother charged with endangerment after boy found wandering streets

3-year-old in good condition, in DCFS custody

Police have located the mother of a young boy who was found running down the sidewalk in the West Englewood neighborhood overnight. (Chicago Police Department)

The mother of a 3-year-old boy who was found alone running down a sidewalk in Chicago's West Englewood neighborhood overnight has been charged with child endangerment, police said.

The boy was found about 11:30 p.m. Monday in the 7200 block of South Hermitage Avenue, police said.

The boy's mother, Carla Conrad of the 7100 block of South Wood Street, was charged with misdemeanor child endangerment, police Officer John Mirabelli said.

The woman was questioned by detectives when she came forward after her father called her to tell her that the boy's picture was on television, Mirabelli said.

The boy was not able to tell police his name, who his parents were or where he lived, police said.

The woman initially told police that she had checked on her son at about 2:30 a.m., said Mirabelli, adding that the boy was in police custody at the time.

Conrad then gave conflicting information, saying at another point that the boy had been asleep on the floor of the home, the officer said.

But the boy's aunt told police that the boy had been asleep on a bed, Mirabelli said.

The boy along with a 10-year-old brother had been with the aunt, but the boy awoke during the evening while the woman was asleep, Mirabelli said. The boy managed to dress himself before leaving the home, Mirabelli said.

The police issued an alert asking for the public's help. The mother arrived at the Englewood police station Tuesday morning, police said. "The tears are flowing," a police official said.

The boy was evaluated overnight at a hospital and released into the custody of the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services. Spokesman Jimmie Whitelow said the department is investigating. He would not disclose any details.

It was unclear how long the boy had been outside, police said. But despite the bitter cold — it was 19 degrees at Midway Airport at 11 p.m., according to the National Weather Service — the boy was in good condition.

He was wearing a black down coat, a red Nike hooded sweatshirt and a black winter hat with the word "Obama" on it. He also was wearing black and white Adidas gym shoes and blue jeans inscribed with the words "D.J. Bottoms," police said.